Samsung Galaxy S4 Overview

EU stock originates from central Europe, however has had the mains adapter swapped for a 3 pin UK model.

EU stock comes with a full 24 month warranty valid in the UK and is certified to work with all UK networks.

For information regarding the region lock on new Samsung stock, please refer to the end of this description**

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the handset that everyone has been waiting for. The fourth iteration to be released in Samsung's prolific series of market-leading smartphones, the Galaxy S4 finds itself installed as the nucleus of a diverse portfolio of handsets offered by the South Korean manufacturer. It inherits the Android crown that many had assigned to its predecessor, the S3, adding a new range of features to once again take the smartphone world by storm.

Before we spend too much time looking at the hardware, though, let's take a look at some of the fantastic software developments that Samsung has made. These are what really set the Galaxy S4 apart from competitors, and there are plenty of them.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Software

Eye tracking technology

The eye tracking technology is reason enough alone to buy the Samsung Galaxy S4. Samsung began integrating eye tracking technology in the Samsung Galaxy S3 with Smart Stay (also included with the Galaxy S4), which stops the screen from going to sleep while you are looking at it, and it has included some even more impressive features with the S4.

Samsung Smart Scroll is one of the most exciting features in the S4. With Smart Scroll you can navigate up and down emails and the web browser simply by looking at the screen. The Galaxy S4 recognises your face looking at the screen and the movement of your wrist and then scrolls accordingly. This builds on a feature that was introduced in the S3 - Smart Stay - which stops the screen from powering off when you are looking at it.

Samsung Smart Pause is another clever feature. Smart Pause knows when you are watching a video, so if you take your eyes off the screen it will pause playback. When you bring your eyes back to the screen, it will then start the video playing again. These are simple touches, yet the combined efficiency that they offer is what puts the S4 in a class of its own.

Gesture control

AirView lets you preview content without the need to touch the display of the S4. Simply hovering your finger over email, S Planner (calendar), image or video will activate the content as though you've clicked on it. You can also use zoom in on the web browser, or view a number that has been saved as a speed dial.

Another new feature called Air Gesture lets you control the handset with hand gestures. With the wave of your hand you can control music playback, navigate up and down the screen, or accept an incoming call.

Voice Control

S Voice already provides voice control features, such as the ability to tell the camera to take photos. Samsung has now added S Voice Drive, which provides the ability to use voice commands to instruct navigation applications. Once connected to a car's Bluetooth system, the S4 automatically turns into driving mode and converts text to speech on incoming communications, ensuring you drive safely and stay within traffic laws.

Camera

Dual Camera Shot enables the simultaneous use of both front and rear cameras. This means that you can take a photo of yourself at the same time as taking a shot of a group, then blend the two together to include yourself in the photo. There are 8 different options for combining the two photos once they've been taken, so you'll never be missing from a special moment.

Dual Video Call functionality lets you receive a video call whilst also showing the person at the other end what you're looking at during the call. Samsung's ChatOn is also built in and provides the video calling service, as well as text chat and easy image sharing.

Drama Shot is an upgraded version of the burst shot feature. Using Drama shot, the Galaxy S4 can take up to 100 photos in 4 seconds. The images are then displayed in an easy to manage timeline, so that you can edit or remove frames as you wish. With this effect, you can create some great action sequences and the feature also helps to get the best possible shot when you're photographing fast moving objects.

Eraser enables you to remove unwanted objects or people from a photo. This is a great feature for improving a photo and removes the issue of that almost perfect photo that has something unwanted in the background.

Sound and Shot stores a sound clip with photos, breathing life into the image and adding to the memory of a great day.

Story Album automatically sorts your photos by certain parameters such as timeline, geo-tagging, or event-specific information. Story albums can be exported and saved on your computer through a service called Blurb.

TV Remote

Samsung has included an Infrared (IR) blaster with the S4, which means that you can configure it as a remote control for your television and other IR devices. Using the Samsung WatchOn app you can control TV, DVD player,air conditioner and more. The app also provides an electronic programme guide and supporting content for shows.

Sharing

Group Play means that users can easily share music, photos, documents and alike without the need for an internet connection.

A feature called Share Music enables you to wirelessly connect several Galaxies at once, play the same song and use the speakers of each device to create louder sound. This is a great party trick for sharing music.

Productivity

Samsung has stepped up its translation offering with S Translator, which is integrated with email, text messaging and ChatOn. S Translator provides instant translations and supports speech to text and text to speech.

Samsung Optical Reader is a simply yet effective feature. It automatically recognises printed text or QR code information. It then imports the text to the Galaxy S4 device and provides translation, text and call functions.

Optimisation

Samsung Adapt Display adjusts the settings of the S4 to provide the best viewing experience within different applications and Samsung Adapt Sound does the same for audio play back, ensuring you always get the best performance possible from your smartphone.

Health

Samsung is trying to look out for your best interests with its S Health app. Using data that you put into the food diary, exercise diary and sleep monitor, the handset monitors your well-being and makes suggestions accordingly. There is also a range of accompanying S Health accessories available.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Hardware

The plethora of software features in the S4 are supported by equally as impressive hardware. Let's take a look at what makes the S4 such a powerful phone.

Display

In recent years Samsung has become well-known for pushing the boundaries of smartphone screen sizes and this results in another increase for its new flagship handset, which has a display size of 5 inches. A bigger screen needs more power of course, so the battery capacity has also been upped to 2600mAh. This is the first handset to feature a full HD Super AMOLED display ; the S4 becomes the new benchmark for other high-end phones to compete with.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the first ever handset to feature a full HD Super AMOLED display. Its 5" screen is 1080p with a pixel density of 441 PPI. It even works with gloves on and has the aforementioned hover capabilities to make usage easier than ever. Bright, vivid colours make movie and image viewing more enjoyable than ever - it really is a screen to be proud of and one that you'll share frequently.

Processor

Samsung has been busy developing its own Exynos chipsets and there are different models available globally including the first ever 1.6 GHz octa-core processor (model number i9500 without LTE). This international (UK) model i9505 with LTE is powered by a 1.9GHz Qualcomm quad-core and 2GB DDR3 RAM, stepping up performance when it comes to resource-heavy tasks such as playing games. There's no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is the most powerful handset on the market.

Camera

Samsung has stepped up the camera capabilities of the Galaxy S range by including a 13MP camera with the S4. This produces photos with a whopping 4128 x 3096 resolution. There's an LED flash included, HD video recording (1080p @30fps) and silmultaneous video and image recording. There also a 2MP front facing camera with 1080p recording capabilities, plus the newly added features referred to above.

Design

Not all that dissimilar to the design of its predecessor, the S4 looks like an enlarged version of the S3 with a slightly more premium finish. The bezel has been reduced and while the casing is made of plastic, it has been upgraded to a less glossy polycarbonate and has a slick, dotted finish to it. The seam fill around the side of the device is made of metal,however, which does give a better fill than the plastic alternative.

The extensive feature set of the S4 is packed into a frame that measures just 7.9mm in thickness and weighs 130g.

Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in 16/32/64GB internal storage variants. There's also a microSD slot which can take cards up to 64GB (sold separately), so you'll have between 70GB and 120GB worth of space to use depending on what you opt for.

Connectivity

It's connectivity options galore when it comes to the Galaxy S4. The usual line-up is there and as up to date as ever - WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, 3.5mm earphone connector, microUSB for power and data - and there's also MHL 2.0 (video out) and the IR blaster for remote controls.

Wireless Charging

While the Samsung Galaxy S4 does not have wireless charging technology built into it, you can buy the necessary accessories to enable this. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Wireless Charging Pad and Wireless Charging cover work together to provide the Samsung Galaxy S4 with compatibility for the Qi wireless charging standard - no more wires and a much better looking way to charge your handset.

Reasons to Buy Samsung Galaxy S4

Eye tracking - Samsung Smart Scroll & Samsung Smart Pause

Gesture Control - AirView & Air Gesture

Voice Control - S Voice and S Voice Drive

13MP Rear facing camera with LED Flash

2MP front facing camera

1080p recording @30fps front and rear camera

Dual camera shot - record a photo with the front and rear camera at the same time

Dual video call - show other people what you're looking at while calling

Drama shot - take 100 photos in 4 seconds

Eraser - get rid of photo-spoiling issues in the background of your pics

Sound and Shot - reocrd sound with a photo to truly capture the moment

Story Album - a great way to display photos and videos

TV Remote - control your TV (and other IR devices) with your phone

Group Play - an easy way to share photos, videos and music

Samsung Optical Reader - scan written text into your handset

Samsung Adapt Display - optimises the display based on what you are doing

Samsung Adapt Sound - optimises the sound based on what you are listening to

Samsung S Health - helps to keep track of your personal well being

16/32/64GB internal storage

MicroSD expansion up to 64GB

Qi Wireless charging

Just 7.9mm thick

Only 130g in weight

WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Bluetooth 4.0

3.5mm earphone connector

microUSB for power and data transfer

MHL 2.0 for video out

IR blaster for remote controls

2,600 mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy S4 Box Contents

Samsung Galaxy S4

USB Data Cable

Stereo Headset

Battery 2600 mAh

Mains Adapter (UK plug)

User Documentation

**Since September 2013, Samsung have implemented a 'region lock' on all new stock. Clove Technology only have access to the “European” models of new Samsung stock. The compatible countries are listed at the end of the product description and marked on the product's box.

For correct operation, this handset should be activated inside one of these countries with a SIM card issued for use there. The device will then be able to accept SIM cards from outside of these countries.

Activation requires turning the device on for the first time & completing set-up with the SIM installed, then completing at least 5 minutes of voice call(s) with this SIM.

You may still use the device outside of these countries when 'roaming' - using a SIM card from these countries in an already activated device.

If this activation procedure is not followed then the device will lock when used with a SIM card from outside of these regions. Local Samsung support may provide a code to unlock such handsets.

All member states of the E.E.A and the following additional territories: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M), Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia and Vatican City.

IF YOUR CHOSEN DELIVERY COUNTY IS NOT LISTED, CLOVE TECHNOLOGY WILL BREAK THE SEAL ON THIS DEVICE AND ACTIVATE IT. YOU MUST AGREE TO THIS PROCEDURE IN THE CHECKOUT BEFORE THE SALE WILL COMPLETE.

The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Samsung Galaxy S4. Hopefully you will find the answer to your question, if not, use the contact form below and we shall answer it for you.

Yes, this phone is unlocked and can be used with networks around the world. Do check the specifications to ensure compatibility in your region with your network provider. No SIM card or contract applies to this phone.

Is this phone brand new?

Yes. Unless the description of the product suggests otherwise (I.e. EX-DEMO) then this product is brand new and has not been used before.

Is there any network/operator branding?

No - There is only the manufacturers branding.

Does the phone have a standard SIM card slot or a Micro SIM slot?

It has a Micro SIM card slot

Does the phone have a Micro SDHC/memory card slot?

Yes, it accepts up to 64GB microSDXC memory cards

What languages are on the phone?

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